Wesleyan president calls Trump’s tax-exempt proposal ‘extraordinary overreach’

Wesleyan University President Michael Roth has stated that the university will not alter its programs in response to a Trump administration proposal that could remove tax-exempt status from private schools offering race-based benefits. Roth criticized the proposal, arguing it pressures institutions to dismantle programs aiding students of color and represents an overreach by using the IRS to enforce White House ideology. The administration claims such programs are discriminatory, suggesting schools focus on race-neutral factors like income. Legal challenges may delay the proposal, which could impact up to 18,000 institutions. Roth noted that Wesleyan supports first-generation and low-income students, many of whom are students of color, and warned that losing tax-exempt status would have severe financial implications. He also mentioned that some schools might preemptively change programs to avoid costly legal battles. The rule, if finalized, would take effect after May 2027. QUESTION: How might the potential loss of tax-exempt status for schools impact the diversity and inclusivity of college campuses?